USA Mathematical Talent Search

Solutions to Problem 5/3/18

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5/3/18. Let f (x) be a strictly increasing function defined for all x > 0 such that f (x) > x1
and f (x)f (f (x) + x1 ) = 1 for all x > 0. Find f (1).

Credit This problem was proposed by Joe Jia.

Comments One important step in solving this functional equation is to substitute f (x)+1/x
for x into the functional equation itself, a step which is suggested by the form of the functional
equation. Then the strictly increasing condition can be used to solve for f (x). Solutions
edited by Naoki Sato.
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Solution 1 by: Vlad Firoiu (9/MA)

From the given equation,  

1 1
f f (x) + = .
x f (x)
1
Since y = f (x) + > 0 is in the domain of f , we have that
x
     
1 1 1
f f (x) + f f f (x) + + = 1.
x x f (x) + x1

1 1


Substituting f f (x) + x
= into the above equation yields
f (x)
 
1 1 1
f + = 1,
f (x) f (x) f (x) + x1

so that  
1 1
f + 1 = f (x).
f (x) f (x) + x

Since f is strictly increasing, it must be 1 to 1. In other words, if f (a) = f (b), then

a = b. Applying this to the above equation gives
1 1
+ 1 = x.
f (x) f (x) + x

Solving yields that

1 5
f (x) = .
2x
Now, if for some x in the domain of f ,

1+ 5
f (x) = ,
2x
 USA Mathematical Talent Search
Solutions to Problem 5/3/18
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then
1 5 1+ 5
f (x + 1) = < = f (x).
2x + 2 2x
This contradicts the strictly increasing nature of f , since x < x + 1. Therefore,

1 5
f (x) =
2x
for all x > 0. Plugging in x = 1 yields

1 5
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f (1) = .
2